DoA|Chapter 2|Part 2: Blood Magic
General Summary
The ensemble, presently dubbed The Followers but on the cusp of rebranding to The Seekers, devised a strategy to infiltrate the manor once more, retrieve the enigmatic box, and make their escape under the cover of darkness. Upon awakening, they discovered evidence of an intrusion; the western wall of their fortress-like inn showed signs of being scaled, their rooms tampered with. Yet, perplexingly, nothing was amiss or stolen. The intruder had vanished as silently as they had arrived, leaving no trace of their intentions or identity.
Despite the unsettling break-in, the group's resolve remained unshaken. They proceeded to the manor, where Sidra, in her spider form, conducted a stealthy reconnaissance. Inside, she encountered a gnomish wizard engrossed in spellcasting near the location of the box. His magic unexpectedly unveiled Sidra's presence, forcing her to retreat hastily. Yet, before she scurried away, she overheard the wizard assure that the box was safe to handle.
As the guards transported the box out of the manor, Medrekk and Sidra executed a daring heist, employing a blend of Devil's Sight and a shroud of Darkness to snatch the box undetected. However, the spell was swiftly dispelled, compelling Sidra to create a diversion. In a desperate move, she induced severe bleeding in one of the guards, causing him to collapse in agony, drawing the attention of the surrounding crowd and creating chaos.
Amidst the pandemonium, Sidra locked eyes with the gnome, who, with a dismissive click of his tongue and a chiding wag of his finger, withdrew from the scene before she could engage him. Reunited with her comrades, they hastily departed in their carriage, not before procuring fish to serve as a decoy for their journey. Wetzel's magical enhancement of the fish's odor led to an unfortunate bout of sickness among some group members.
Upon their return to Doilea, the group settled their affairs, including ensuring Ava's care at the Weeping House, before embarking on a new journey with Adam Beyers, the preacher of the Church of the Coming End. Along the way, Adam engaged each member in conversation, sharing insights into the Coming End and inadvertently revealing details about the Chaos Legion.
As Adam concluded his tale, the tranquility was shattered by the echo of a gunshot, and he staggered, a bloom of blood spreading from his stomach. With a grimace, he remarked, "Seems you'll be earnin' your pay... right from the start," signaling the onset of an unforeseen and perilous chapter for the group, now bound by a contract sealed in blood and gunfire.
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